‘Un’-conference connects 100 industry experts for conservation
Over 100 leading conservation voices will gather at South Africa’s Spier Wine Farm in the Western Cape from May 10 to 12, for the fourth two-day ‘un’-conference, Conservation Lab.
The keynote speaker is Ghanaian-born, globally acclaimed entrepreneur Fred Swaniker, founder of the African Leadership University and named a Top 10 African Power Man by Forbes. Swaniker will explore how to nurture future conservation leaders. Other speakers include former Botswana President Ian Khama, and Wildlife Direct CEO, Paula Kahumbu.
The Lab is a progressive, creative forum that brings together experts from across the travel and conservation faculties, to work as a team in collaborating and innovating for conservation, and the agenda will feature open discussions and collaborative workshops.
Conservation Lab has provided a platform for some key conversations over the years, including:
- The usefulness of collaboration within conservation, demonstrated by a collaboration by industry leaders &Beyond and Great Plains Conservation.
- The vital role that travel plays in conservation
- The importance and lack of diversity in conservation
- The Great Hunting Debate: this was a first at Conservation Lab and one of the most controversial moments, with the debate being between leaders from the hunting fraternity and photographic tourism, who discussed the role of trophy hunting in conservation.
The list of attendees includes Abercrombie & Kent, African Bush Camps, &Beyond, Botswana Tourism, Elephants Without Borders, Great Plains Conservation, Save The Rhino Trust, SANParks, Tourism Conservation Fund and The African Safari Foundation, amongst others.
Conservation Lab aims to share ideas, pool resources and expertise, and gather intelligent insights that lead to informed decisions and more effective action. This event strives to build bridges between industry leaders with the purpose of making travel a stronger force for conservation.
source: Tourism Update
